Zhilakoa rushed through the corridors, tears blurring her vision. She couldn't bear the thought of Eryn with another woman. She stumbled upon Ulysses in the courtyard, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
"Ah, Zhilakoa, in tears? How...endearing," Ulysses sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. Zhilakoa's face contorted in anguish. "You knew, didn't you?"
Ulysses chuckled. "Lady Caliope, his betrothed mate. Yes, I knew, everyone knows. And you, dear Zhilakoa, are just a fleeting infatuation for my brother." Zhilakoa's eyes widened in disbelief. "No...that can't be." Ulysses shrugged. "Believe it, little one. You're not worthy of Eryn's attention, not like Caliope." Zhilakoa's fled the courtyard, Ulysses' mocking laughter echoing behind her. She burst into her room, slamming the door shut. Fiona, who was waiting inside, rushed to her side.
"Lady Zhilakoa, what's wrong? You're shaking!" Zhilakoa's fury and heartbreak boiled over. She screamed, shattering a vase, then a chair, her rage uncontainable. Fiona tried to calm her, but Zhilakoa pushed her away.
Finally, Fiona suggested, "Let me draw you a warm Jasmine milk bath. And we can go to the rooftop, the view might calm you down"
Eryn's eyes scanned the crowded dining hall, his brow furrowed in concern. He had been looking forward to sharing this evening with Zhilakoa, but now she was nowhere to be found. Caliope's grip on his arm tightened, her nails digging into his skin.
"Eryn, darling, don't be silly," Caliope whispered. "Zhilakoa's just a fleeting duck. You belong with me, as fate intended. Let's enjoy the evening, together." Eryn gently extricated himself from her grasp, his smile polite but firm. "Caliope, please understand. Zhilakoa might see us and misunderstand. Let's just enjoy the evening, separately." Caliope's laughter was like a tinkling bell, but her eyes flashed with annoyance. I'll leave you then, to tartarus with Zhilakoa.
Meanwhile, Zhilakoa lay submerged in the Jasmine-infused milk bath, scented candles casting a warm glow around her. Her eyes closed, memories of Eryn and Caliope flooded her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Zhilakoa sank deeper into the warm, fragrant water, her eyes closing as she let out a relaxed sigh. The tension in her body began to ease, her mind drifting into a peaceful haze.
In her mind's eye, she saw Lyra, her face twisted into a maniacal grin. Lyra's body was covered in blood, her fingers had transformed into razor-sharp claws, and her teeth were now daggers, pointed and deadly. Zhilakoa's eyes snapped open, her heart racing as she sat up with a startled scream but her voice seemed to be trapped in her throat. The water sloshed around her, and she frantically scanned the bathroom, half-expecting to see Lyra's terrifying image looming over her. But the room was empty, the only sound the gentle lapping of the water against the tub. Zhilakoa's breath came in ragged gasps as she tried to calm herself, telling herself it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, a manifestation of her own fears and anxieties. Yet, the image lingered in her mind, haunting her.
As she emerged from the bath, Fiona awaited her with a selection of exotic oils and a stunning purple evening dress. "I thought this might lift your spirits, Lady Zhilakoa. You deserve a night of pampering. Let me help you get ready." "Thank you, Fiona. You can call me Zhilakoa."
Zhilakoa slipped into the stunning purple evening dress, the fabric hugging her curves like a gentle embrace. As they made their way to the rooftops, the night air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the soft chirping of nocturnal creatures.
Fiona noticed Zhilakoa's distant expression and asked, "Are you alright, Zhilakoa? You seem...lost in thought." Zhilakoa forced a smile, hiding her true concerns. "Yes, I'm fine. Just enjoying the evening." But inside, she was still reeling from the vision of Lyra. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that Lyra's appearance in her head was more than just a mere coincidence.
To divert her thoughts, Zhilakoa asked Fiona, "Tell me, Fiona, do you have family members? How did you start working for the Order?" Fiona's eyes clouded, her voice tinged with sadness. "I lost my family to a group of witch hunters. They...they killed my parents and siblings, accused of practicing dark magic. I managed to escape, but I was left alone, with nothing."
Zhilakoa's heart went out to Fiona, her own pain and loss echoing in her chest. "I'm so sorry, Fiona. I had no idea."
Fiona's smile was bitter. "The Order took me in, gave me a purpose. I've been serving them ever since, trying to make a difference, to prevent others from suffering the same fate as my family."
As they reached the rooftop, the stars twinkled above. The night air was filled with music and laughter, but Zhilakoa's mind remained haunted by the image of Lyra, her heart still heavy with unease.
Zhilakoa's gaze drifted upwards, her eyes locking onto a familiar pattern in the sky.
"Fiona, look!" Zhilakoa pointed upwards, her finger tracing the shape of Orion in the stars. "That's the constellation of Orion, the hunter.
Fiona's eyes widened as she followed Zhilakoa's gesture. "Ah, I see! I never knew the stars could be so...so alive."
Zhilakoa smiled, "The ancient civilizations believed the constellations told stories of gods and goddesses, of heroes and monsters. They used them to navigate, to predict the seasons, and to understand the mysteries of the universe."
As they gazed up at the stars, Zhilakoa felt a sense of wonder wash over her, a reminder that there was beauty and magic in the world, even in the darkest of times.
"Zhilakoa?" Eryn's gentle voice called out, his footsteps echoing across the rooftop, his approach hesitant. "Zhilakoa," he whispered, his voice full of emotion, as he walked towards her with open arms.